And this is why I love #MaineDSA!

#Maine #Socialists #SayNoToTrump

Posted by Todd Chretien | Jan 31, 2025 |

"Maine Democratic Socialists of America co-chair #SophieG welcomed more than one hundred members and friends from across the state who met in Portland over the weekend. Alongside nuts and bolts discussions and elections for the group’s organizing committees and working groups, Maine DSA welcomed solidarity greetings from allies and friends, including the #MaineCoalitionForPalestine and the Maine-based #ImmigrantsRights organization #Presente! as well as reports from #MaineYouthPower and the #MaineGunSafetyCoalition. Members also hosted several workshops including a panel on the opportunities and pitfalls of electoral politics, renters organizing in the mid-coast, and the ABCs of being a good organizer.

"Maine DSA accomplished a lot over the last year. We elected #WesPelletier to serve alongside #KateSykes as #PortlandMaine’s two socialist city councilors. Comrades in #BrunswickMaine launched the #BrunswickRentersOrganization and made their voices heard in city council hearings—even if the city councilors 'value the class position of a landlord over the class position of a tenant' as DSAer #PeachCushing put it at the time.

"Members are also launching a new organizing committee in #SouthPortlandMaine as well as building up working groups to #DefendBodilyAutonomy—for #LGTBQ+ and #ReproductiveRights—and to expand our solidarity work with the #labor movement. In another sign of members’ increasing dedication, a full slate of candidates ran to fill more open leadership positions than last year. Yet, despite that good work, everyone recognized the depth of the danger facing working-class Mainers heading into Trump’s second term—not the least of which is the fact that local Republican county committees are openly celebrating Trump’s pardon for Maine’s very own #January6 #insurrectionists.

"Last week #PineAndRoses published a proposal to guide our organizing over the coming year and it was taken up at the conference. The resolution emphasizes the dangers Trump represents and frankly acknowledges that we are facing 'a period of increased attacks on #MarginalizedCommunities, the labor movement, #PublicEducation, and the working class as a whole.' As such, '#socialists must play a #frontline role in defending the #WorkingClass from attacks by the #FarRight' even as 'the political environment in Maine, as of 2025, presents opportunities to resist the Trump administration and make gains at the state and municipal levels.'

"In order to put this analysis to the test, Maine DSA aims to work side by side a wide array of allies to defend #Immigrants, the #TransCommunity, #IndigenousSovereignty, #Unions, public education, and #democracy in general while simultaneously building up the socialist movement’s reach across the state. During the debate, several members suggested the resolution ought to have a more clearly defined international section. One member proposed an amendment (which passed with a clear majority voting in favor) to specify that Maine DSA aims to 'challenge the #hegemony of the Democratic Party.' Thus amended, the resolution passed (nearly) unanimously. Now comes the hard work of trying to put ideas into action.

"As we do, the more #activists and organizers we can muster the better. So if you’re looking for a way to join the fight against Trump, please consider getting in touch with us and joining Maine DSA."

https://pineandroses.org/news/maine-socialists-say-no-to-trump/
#Organize #Resist #Unite!
#USPol

Saw this on the news last night... More of this, please!

#SouthPortlandMaine hosts '#RepairFair' to help extend life for broken items
Community members were able to bring one damaged item to be repaired for free.

by Leeann Stapleton, January 25, 2025

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — "Dozens of people flocked to the #SouthPortlandLibrary on a chilly Saturday morning with broken or damaged items in hand to be fixed by some knowledgeable volunteers.

"The city held its first-ever 'Repair Fair' at the South Portland Library.

"With a limit of one damaged item per person, people brought anything from clothes to jewelry to electronics to woodwork and more, all to be fixed free of charge.

"Susan Parmelee is the sustainability program manager for the city of South Portland.

"She said one reason for the event is to avoid items getting thrown away when they could be fixed.

"'The city has a #ClimateActionPlan called #OneClimateFuture, and a whole section of that is waste reduction. A portion of reducing waste is preventing materials from going to the landfill,' Parmelee said. 'So, if we can fix the broken items, then they're not going to the landfill.'

"The lamp table had the longest line—at least for the first hour or so of the event.

"Parmelee said the city would consider hosting more of these repair events in the future, depending on how successful their first one was.

"The one-day event was held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and coffee and doughnuts were provided for attendees."

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/south-portland/south-portland-library-community-repair-fair/97-7be08a47-4fbd-4143-8ed1-f6951162649a
#SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafes #RepairCafesMaine #RightToRepair #DIY #RepairCafé #FixIt

#Maine Winter Farmers’ Markets 2024 – 2025

Augusta Farmers’ Market*
Tue, 3-5pm; weekly
Mid-Nov through Apr,
22 Armory St, #AugustaMaine

Bangor Farmers’ Market*
1st & 3rd Sun, 11am-1pm
Dec to Apr
26 Front St, Sea Dog Brewing Co. Banquet Room, #BangorMaine

Bar Harbor Winter Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market
Sun, 9:30am-12:30pm; every other week starting Nov 10
Nov through Apr
36 Mount Desert St, #BarHarborMaine

Bath Farmers’ Market*
Sat, 9am-12pm; weekly
Nov through Apr 15
27 Commercial St, #BathMaine

Belfast Farmers’ Market
Fri, 9am-12pm; weekly
Nov through Apr
21 Schoodic Dr, #BelfastMaine

Belfast – United Farmers Market of Maine*
Sat, 9am-2pm; weekly
Year-round
18 Spring St, #BelfastMaine

Berwick Winter Farmers’ Market
Sun, 10am-1pm; starts Nov 24, then 2nd Sun monthly until Apr
Nov through Apr, 11 Sullivan St, #BerwickMaine

Blue Hill Winter Farmers’ Market*
Sat, 10am-12pm; weekly
Dec to late May
7 Rope Ferry Rd, #SedgwickMaine

Bridgton Winter Farmers’ Market*
Sat, 9am-12pm; weekly
Nov through Apr
166 Harrison Rd, #BridgtonMaine

Brunswick Winter Market
Sat, 9am-12:30pm; weekly
Nov through Apr
14 Maine St, #BrunswickMaine

Dover Cove Farmers’ Market
Every other Sat, 9am-1pm; starts Sat before Thanksgiving
Nov to May
1049 W Main St, #DoverFoxcroftMaine

Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market
Thu, 2-5pm; weekly
Dec through Apr
150 Main St, #WatervilleMaine

Farmington Farmers’ Market*
Sat, 10am-1pm; weekly
Nov through Apr
130 Quebec St, #FarmingtonMaine

Freeport #HarraseeketGrange Farmers’ Market
Wed, 3-6pm; weekly
Nov to Apr
13 Elm St, #FreeportMaine

Greater Gorham Winter Market
1st and 3rd Sat, 9am-1pm
Nov through Mar
75 South St, #GorhamMaine

Greenwood Farmers’ Market
Every other Friday, 4pm-6pm
late Sept – early June
270 Main St. (Rt. 26), #GreenwoodMaine

Hampden Farmers’ Market*
Fri, 2-5:30pm; every other Fri starting Jan
Dec through Apr
177 Cold Brook Rd, #HampdenMaine

Orono Winter Farmers’ Market*
Sat, 9am-12pm (Dec: weekly; Jan-Apr: 2nd & 4th Sat)
Dec to Apr
6 Goodridge Dr, #OronoMaine

Portland Winter Farmers’ Market
Sat, 9am-1pm; weekly
Dec 7, 2024 – Apr 12, 2025
631 Stevens Ave, Portland

Rockland Farmers’ Market Season Extension
Thu, 9am-12pm; closed Thanksgiving
Nov and Dec (through Christmas)
61 Limerock St, #RocklandMaine

Rockport Farmers’ Market
Sat, 9am-12pm; weekly
Year-round
310 Commercial St, #RockportMaine

Skowhegan Farmers’ Market
1st and 3rd Sat, 10am-1pm
Dec through Apr
42 Court St, #SkowheganMaine

Somerville – Farmers’ Market at Pumpkin Vine Family Farm
One Sun per month (see online), 11am-2pm
Nov to Feb
217 Hewett Rd, #SomervilleMaine

South Berwick – Tri-Town Winter Farmers’ Market*
Select Sundays (see online): 10am-1pm
Nov to Apr
49 Academy St, Marshwood Great Works School, #SouthBerwickMaine

South Portland Farmers’ Market
Sun, 10am-2pm; weekly
Nov through Apr
829 Sawyer St, #SouthPortlandMaine

Wilton Farmers’ Market
1st and 3rd Sat, 10am-1pm
Nov to Apr
386 Main St, Congregational Church, #WiltonMaine

Source:
https://mainefarmersmarkets.org/winter-farmers-markets-2024-2025/

#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChange #Resiliency #FoodSecurity #FoodJustice #FarmersMarkets #MaineFarms #MaineFarmersMarkets

FFS! Municipalities need to change over to #F3 ASAP!

#Toxic firefighting foam spills into #wetlands after truck fire in #SouthPortlandMaine

by Ariana St Pierre, WGME
Fri, August 30th 2024

"Crews used 47 gallons of #AFFF #firefighting foam to put out the truck's diesel fuel that was burning. That foam contains PFAS or '#ForeverChemicals.'

"Despite their efforts to contain it, firefighters say 70 gallons of foam and diesel fuel spilled into the gravel wetland along Philbrook Avenue and #LongCreek.

[...]

"This comes about 10 days after over 1,400 gallons of firefighting foam containing PFAS spilled at the Brunswick Executive Airport and leaked into a nearby pond [which eventually drains into #HarpswellCove and #CascoBay]."

https://wgme.com/news/local/toxic-firefighting-foam-spills-into-wetlands-after-truck-fire-in-south-portland-maine-firefighters-afff-pfas-forever-chemicals-long-creek-philbrook-avenue

#PFASContamination
#PFOS #CascoBay #Wildlife #WaterIsLife #OceansAreLife #PFASPollution #FirefightingFoam #LongCreekWatershed

ICYMI - From 2016:

Tuesday Marks 20th Anniversary of #Maine’s Worst #OilSpill

Maine Public | By Keith Shortall
Published September 27, 2016 at 5:34 PM EDT

"It was 20 years ago Tuesday that the tanker Julie N crashed int the bridge connecting #PortlandMaine and #SouthPortlandMaine, spilling 180,000 gallons of oil into the #ForeRiver in the worst oil spill in Maine’s history.

"The spill was contained primarily to the Fore River, but approximately $40 million was spent on cleaning up 14 miles of contaminated #shoreline. The Coast Guard said at the time that nearly 80 percent of the spilled oil was recovered. Much of the rest stayed west of the bridge, toward the #marshes near the Portland Jetport and away from Casco Bay and the islands.

"#PortlandHarbor was closed, and fishing and shellfish harvesting was banned in parts of #CascoBay and the Fore River for more than a month."

https://www.mainepublic.org/environment-and-outdoors/2016-09-27/tuesday-marks-20th-anniversary-of-maines-worst-oil-spill

#OilTankers #MaineHistory

[Video + gift article] Plan to extend turnpike through #farmland gets slammed before first public meeting

The #MaineTurnpikeAuthority is hosting a public meeting Monday evening on the #GorhamConnector, its plan to build a 5-mile, 4-lane highway spur from the turnpike in #SouthPortlandMaine to the #GorhamBypass.

by Kelly Bouchard
March 25, 2024

"Speakers at the press conference said the connector would worsen or simply relocate #TrafficCongestion and exacerbate #pollution and other #environmental problems.

"Warren Knight, one of six siblings involved in the farm, questioned whether the authority chose to build the connector through the farm because it was easier to cross and the cheapest alternative for a project expected to cost well over $200 million.

"'We don’t think that’s right or fair,' Knight said. 'Why should #OpenSpace and farmland be considered expendable?”

"Tuck O’Brien, a Portland resident and representative of Trout Unlimited, a nonprofit that works to preserve and restore fish habitat, said the connector would jeopardize the clean, cool headwaters of #RedBrook, a tributary to Clarks Pond in South Portland that is [one of the last] active habitats for #BrookTrout.

"Sadie Donnell, a #GorhamMaine resident, said the region’s traffic challenges present a 'huge opportunity' to expand public transportation and reduce the number of cars on the road, rather than move them from one road to another."

https://www.pressherald.com/2024/03/25/plan-to-extend-turnpike-through-farmland-gets-slammed-before-first-public-meeting/?uuid=8b2a17c3-31d3-4227-bd05-14439d676b71&lid=10425

#SaveSmilingHill #GorhamConnector #GorhamSpur #Maine #MaineTurnpikeAuthority #RapidTransit #LightRail #SaveTheFarms #ProtectTheForest #InducedDemand #Sprawl

How to observe #IndigenousPeoplesDay in #Maine

Dan Neumann October 6, 2023

"Tribal members and supporters will rally outside the Maine State House in Augusta on Indigenous People’s Day for #Wabanaki self-determination and transparency around Maine’s #treaty obligations toward tribal nations.

"The rally, organized by the #WabanakiAlliance, a coalition that includes representatives from hundreds of organizations and businesses that support #Wabanaki inherent sovereignty, will start at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 9 outside the capitol and conclude at 11:30 a.m.

"Participants will be able to make signs and learn more about the 'Yes on 6' campaign ahead of the rally.

"#Question6 on the November ballot asks whether voters support requiring 'that all of the provisions of the Maine Constitution be included in the official printed copies' distributed by the state.

"The tribes are supporting the ballot measure because, since 1876, printed copies of Maine’s Constitution have omitted three sections of the original document, including one pertaining to Maine’s treaty obligations toward the tribes.

"Monday’s Indigenous People’s Day marks a crossroads for the tribes and their allies, after legislation recognizing Wabanaki sovereignty was vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills last summer.

"The law would have amended the jurisdictional arrangement between the tribes and the state that Indigenous leaders have long criticized for leaving the #WabanakiNations with less authority over natural resources, gaming, taxation, criminal justice and economic development on their lands than 570 other federally recognized tribes.

"Celebration at Redbank in South Portland

"Also on Monday, the #SouthPortlandMaine #HumanRights Commission will be hosting an Indigenous People’s Day celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Redbank Community Center, located at 95 MacArthur Circle West in South Portland.

"The celebration will feature speaker Corey Hinton, a citizen of the #Passamaquoddy Tribe at #Sipayik and a lead lawyer on tribal issues in Maine.

"The Cape Elizabeth Rotary will also be serving pancakes and maple syrup sourced from #PassamaquoddyMaple, a company that is '100% tribally owned, with a mission to provide a high-end, small batch, product that will not only sustain our tribal land, but also create jobs for our people.'

"South Portland’s Indigenous People’s Day event is free, family friendly, and open to the public.

"Other events

"The #AbbeMuseum in #BarHarbor is holding a week long series of events through Oct. 9 called “#Indigenous2023 – Celebrating Our Sovereignty“, including #storytelling, a #concert and free museum admission.

"University of Maine, #Farmington [#UMF] is holding events from Oct. 16-19 including a food tasting, storytelling, a film showing and a panel discussion on how to be an ally."

Source:
https://mainebeacon.com/wabanaki-to-rally-on-indigenous-peoples-day-for-self-determination/

#IndigenousAlly #GovernmentTransparency #RespectTheTreaties #PenobscotNation #PassamaquoddyNation #Maliseet